UnbaldEagle

2 minutes ago, caricatura said:

@UnbaldEagleAre you mostly upset due to the money, or the fact that you feel trapped into more and more procedures and no longer have the option of shaving?

The latter and the fact that demand is not able to meet the supply long term. Well said, there's no longer the option of shaving either. Compromises will have to be made. And there's always a slim chance of losing it all in spite of everything (like we've seem quite a few examples on this forum), for which I'm not sure any of us has an ultimate exit plan. Okay, maybe body hair (if one has it) and SMP if you're willing to accept what those truly entail.

I'm surprised to admit but the above poster did make some good points as far as long term strategy is concerned. The only thing I don't agree with are megasessions, which are mega risks for diffuse thinners. I believe that's your case too so you might need some advice that's bespoke to you. 

16 hours ago, BeHappy said:

I don't have anything recent in my profile. I may decide to post some updated pictures now that I have another surgery coming up. I've been reluctant to post photos because the changes aren't easily seen in pictures. I've had grafts placed all over a NW7 area that had light coverage before from earlier transplants, so I mostly have an overall thickening with the body hair rather than any specific area with a major change that shows up well in photos.

 

It would still be great to see your progress, whenever you feel comfortable sharing.  

And thank you so much for your valuable input regarding body hair and your own experiences as a NW7. 

I cannot possibly imagine how hard it must have been for you after those botches surgeries. 

1 hour ago, caricatura said:

I’m 30 and a NW 3A with diffuse thinning. My dad is around 70 and basically completely bald, though that may have something to do with his overall poor health. In any case, I’m trying to justify getting a HT, but the more I research, the more I doubt myself, so any feedback would be welcome.

If HTs were a one-and-done procedure like rhinoplasty, I’d get one immediately, but I fear that, for most people, while they may work in the short-term (1 - 5 years), unless and even if you commit to Min., Fin., and at least two more surgeries down the line, you're condemning yourself to a very odd-looking head of hair (not to mention a scarred head) in the long-term (10 - 15 years+). That means that by the time I'm only 45, I may look worse than if I had just shaved or somehow styled it accordingly in-between those years. Of course, there's the possibility that my hair loss stabilizes after a transplant, especially with the help of forthcoming pharmaceutical treatments, but this seems like a big "if." It also seems that, understandably, many people such as myself go for the transplant out of short-sighted desperation, but may be even more unhappy in the long-run. Unfortunately, due to the relative recentness of successful hair transplant procedures, it's difficult to even ask around about such long-term satisfaction. Then again, maybe more people are satisfied than I think, and they just don't hang around these forums (I'm thinking of celebrities like Jeremy Piven, Elon Musk, and Matthew McConaughey who seem to have had great hair for at least a decade now).

Am I over-thinking this, or being too cynical about the long-term success of the procedure? Should I just "go for it" and live up my 30s?

Thank you!

I'm exactly in the same shoes, diffuse thinning NW3 (realistically that's more like a semi-NW6), having a bad family history and just maintaining despite being on an aggressive treatment + 2 HTs.

Like you said, it's a good short-term solution (or is it?), a huge gamble and uncertainty in the long haul. Most days I wish I never had a HT, but there's no way of turning back now, so it's a lifetime battle. Only time will tell. And others who hopefully are most optimistic than I am. 

7 minutes ago, Rossybop said:

Oh, also, would anyone reccomend ever using any conditioner?

I wonder is there any conditioner out there that might be comforting or beneficial for my circumstances.

That's actually great to loosen the scabs a bit before washing your hair. 

Just be mindful of the ingredients, try to use less chemicals. 

I'm going through the same, except worse. Losing natives in non-transplant areas too, shedding like a mad dog. 

Hopefully it's just that phase. 

Just wow. 😮

You sir are growing some crazy thick hair there. 

Can't believe how dense it is. 😮

1 minute ago, UnbaldEagle said:

Try to have a light meal before you get to bed. The good carbs, no fats. It will release norepinepherine, which in turn will produce melatonin, making you sleep better.  

P.S. I do supplement melatonin occasionally. It works great and it's all natural.. 

1 minute ago, theshape1122 said:

yeah so far I've been fine and never thought about taking it, just pretend its part of my daily supplements. its just the recent insomnia that I hope isn't linked to the fin... will find out i guess

Try to have a light meal before you get to bed. The good carbs, no fats. It will release norepinepherine, which in turn will produce melatonin, making you sleep better.  

1 minute ago, theshape1122 said:

I have

interesting, could be... lifestyle wise nothing is different, no other changes or more stressed than usual. just started struggling to sleep these last few nights.  

 

Will see if giving up/cutting down on the pepsi max/ caffeine drinks helps, i've not had one today.. i hope its not the fin, and it sorts it self out

@theshape1122a word to the wise: the more you obsess about fin side effects, the more likely you will "get them". Interpret that as you will. 

Also, tee tree oil while it's an anti-inflammatory could actually exacerbate such conditions when used frequently. I know that from the times I used it for my piercings. Best to avoid them. 

I've used the mild shampoos HDC provided so far, just moved on to an SLS-free Biotin shampoo. Can't go wrong with sodium laurate free shampoos. 

So yeah, just keep using what you've been given Ross, but DON'T use Nizoral for at least 3 months. 

I suffer from insomnia. I drink about 5-6 mugs of coffee per day, possibly more since I gave up smoking, but damn I'm sure it's fin causing it. 😣

Goodness gracious, that density is surreal. 😮 😮😍

@TorontoMan, I can't believe I missed your post, buddy.

The work looks state-of-the-art! Well, you had amazing hair to begin with, so I can only congratulate you for choosing Dr. Rahal, because frankly you need a very dense and natural hairline that matches what's behind it and who's better to provide that than the Hairline King. 

I wish you happy growing but I'm 100% sure already it's going to be stellar! 😍

I hope you're good otherwise. How's the recipient healing?

I've got some persisting numbness and it's so annoying. 

Just now, Rossybop said:

Somebody on here wrote a post suggesting that using the two together can aggrivate or speed up hair loss if they don't agree with the patient or if you discontinue using Rogaine, it was something along those lines.

Well, you know what they say: don't believe everything you read on the internet. 

As for your other question, people usually "stop seeing" any benefits from minoxidil after a few years because that's when the minox-lengthened anagen phase ends. That doesn't mean it stops working and its use should be discontinued, on the contrary. 

8 minutes ago, Rossybop said:

..but recently I discovered a thread here where someone said its not a good idea to use both Regaine and fin at the same time. I thought it was odd because I've never heard that before.

What was his reasoning for not using both at the same time?

Outstanding result, that's a super refined hairline. 😍

Amazing work, Dr. Barghouthi. 

5 hours ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

Please refrain from using profanity to make a point 

I was not trying to make a point, it was meant to be a joke. A bad one, I admit. I do apologize. 

9 hours ago, MachoVato said:

Maybe try roller dermming?

 

Sadly it's too late for that. Maybe a conservative hair system instead?

5 hours ago, gillenator said:

After experiencing that horrific incident of losing my hair system overnight was a huge motivator to finally move ahead and get my first HT procedure.

I can still see her eyes of SHOCK to this day!

Still better than to have your fall off due to fin side effects in the middle of a different procedure. 

This is my 2nd HT and I can already feel my darling buds anxious to be sprouting. I asked them and they all unanimously said not long now. 😍

I don't think it'll take longer than your 1st transplant.  

Also,  you may not necessarily need 5K for your amount of hair loss, except if you really want to have a youthful and dense hairline. Not sure if that's a valid objective for the future. 😳

Some great docs like Konior could do wonders with 2-3K in your case, giving you full coverage and all.

There was a case posted today of a gentleman receiving 3K from a reputable clinic: My hair transplantation at HDC clinic

I believe his hair loss was far worse than yours. So I think both FUE and FUT are viable options for you.

Let me first say that for 38 you're looking great. If you improve your hair (which is honestly not as bad as I imagined from your first post), you'll cheat a couple of more years. 

That donor area looks really healthy too.  Seeing how you keep your hair medium length, a FUT scar shouldn't be a big issue.